Spring Hill College names Craig McVey as their first ever track and field head coach

MOBILE, Alabama - Craig McVey, a veteran coach at the University of Albany, was tabbed as the man that will led the Spring Hill College men and women's outdoor track & field programs when their inaugural seasons kick off in the spring of 2013.

His hiring was announced Monday by Spring Hill College Athletic Director Jim Hall.

"I am very pleased that Craig has accepted our offer to start our track and field program," Hall said. "He brings a wealth of experience and passion to the program and I am confident that he will quickly build a high quality program that we will all be proud of. He has a strong reputation as a recruiter as well as an ability to develop talented athletes. Both of those abilities will serve him well as he begins the task of establishing our track and field program."

McVey spent 15 years as the associate head track and field coach at the University of Albany. During that time he was a part of 28 America East Conference championships and three Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America titles.

He recently worked with distance runners and pole-vaulters AEC champions and all-conference steeplechasers Ricardo Estremera, Ethan Clary, Laura Cummings and Jenn Pierson. Estremera and Cummings, who are both school record holders, advanced multiple times to the NCAA East Preliminary Round.

"I feel blessed to have the opportunity to be part of a new chapter of Spring Hill athletics as we begin track & field as an intercollegiate sport," said McVey. "This is an exciting time at Spring Hill College and I appreciate the support of Father [Richard] Salmi and Jim Hall as we move into our program's first year and beyond. My family and I can't wait to become a part of the College and Mobile communities."

McVey earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Kansas State University. As an undergraduate student, he was a member of two Big Eight Conference indoor track & field championship teams and a Big Eight cross country championship team.

He and his wife, Bette, have four children, Luke (22), Kirsten (18), Maggie (17) and Tyler (11).